Happy Halloween! Samhain has arrived, which means the time to cram in every last bit of holiday festivities is upon us. Whether you’re staying cozy at home, watching John Carpenter‘s concert live on streaming, or venturing out to Halloween gatherings (stay safe), horror makes for the perfect accompaniment. While you’re likely already set on the […]
Happy Halloween! Samhain has arrived, which means the time to cram in every last bit of holiday festivities is upon us. Whether you’re staying cozy at home, watching John Carpenter‘s concert live on streaming, or venturing out to Halloween gatherings (stay safe), horror makes for the perfect accompaniment. While you’re likely already set on the Halloween staples, like Trick ‘r Treat, and holiday-set horror movies that bring heavy autumnal vibes, here’s a handy streaming guide for those seeking more hidden Halloween horror gems to watch tonight.
Here are five lesser-seen Halloween horror movies and where to watch them.
Director David Slade (30 Days of Night) and screenwriter Michael Gilio (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) adapt Norman Partridge’s 2006 Bram Stoker Award-winning novel Dark Harvest, unleashing Halloween carnage that upstages the barebones story. Every Halloween, the legendary Sawtooth Jack rises from the cornfields, where he must fight through a gauntlet of murderous teen boys, all eager to snuff him out lest he make his way to the town’s church by midnight. It’s kill or be killed, with the town awarding a hefty prize to the boy who takes out Sawtooth Jack to ensure the town’s survival. Dark Harvest combines folk horror with the slasher, unleashing a surprisingly gory bloodbath set on Halloween.
Livid – Moviesphere+
Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo’s follow-up to the brutal horror film Inside doesn’t pop up on streaming very often. Lucie is an at-home nurse, and the last stop on her roster is a remote mansion inhabited by bedridden recluse Mrs. Jessel. Mrs. Jessel is rumored to have a treasure hidden on the property, so Lucie and her friends sneak in on Halloween night to steal it. Instead, they find a night full of unexpected terror, and Maury and Bustillo deliver a fun entry into fantasy horror. Look for fun homages to Halloween III: Season of the Witch. It’s gorgeous and creepy and offers a unique take on a tried-and-true horror staple.
May – Criterion Channel, Fandango at Home, Fawesome, Pluto TV, Tubi
May (Angela Bettis) is a lonely vet assistant whose only friend is her doll, Suzie. Then she meets Adam (Jeremy Sisto). Obsessed with his hands and ideals of perfection, May descends into madness in her attempts to forge new friendships. Her mother once told her that if she couldn’t find any friends, she should make them. The lonely woman takes this literally. In keeping with the trend, Lucky McKee’s film sets its finale over Halloween night. Framed from the killer’s perspective, though, May becomes a heartbreaking character study.
Trick or Treat – Screambox
Frequently considered the pinnacle of heavy metal horror, Trick or Treat is now available on streaming for the very first time. Which means it’s required viewing this Halloween. Following the death of his heavy metal idol, a bullied teenage boy inadvertently discovers a way to resurrect the rocker. After hearing the news of his hero’s death, Eddie Weinbauer (Marc Price) finds himself in possession of a one-of-a-kind item, the final recording of Sammi Curr (Tony Fields). When Eddie plays the record backward, unwittingly unleashing his idol’s demonic side. With an earworm score and Halloween heavy metal mayhem, throw up some devil horns and enjoy the ride.
WNUF Halloween Special – AMC+, Shudder
This clever retro-styled horror-comedy presents itself as an off-air recording of WNUF’s Halloween special that aired on October 31, 1987. Television reporter Frank Stewart (Paul Fahrenkopf) investigates the haunted Webber House on-air throughout the news broadcast. It begins benign enough, but the further Frank gets into his broadcast, the creepier the house becomes. Keeping with the recorded-off-TV format, WNUF Halloween Special is loaded with faux commercial breaks and infomercials that evoke Halloween nostalgia.
